To begin this two-week study, Derek delves into the foundational difference of a person’s spiritual experience: is it based upon your will or your emotions? It is a person’s will that decides to serve God. Man is a three part being—made of spirit, soul, and body—and it is in the soul that makes decisions.

In today’s study Derek looks at two decisions made by David in Psalm 103. These decisions are to bless the Lord and to remember His benefits. “To bless the Lord” is to adopt a right attitude toward God—in humility, reverence, acknowledgment, and bowing. “To forget not” means we remember the blessings of the Lord; we focus our mind on the Lord’s benefits.

Derek teaches on making the decision to praise God in all circumstances, no matter whether we feel like it or not. Praise brings satisfaction to the ones who have made that willful decision. Have you decided to bless the Lord at all times and to have His praise continually in your mouth?

Today Derek makes the distinction between repentance and remorse. To repent means to change your mind (this is a decision), and then you must go in a different direction (this is the action you take). Remorse is an emotion, and not a decision. Repentance determines our destiny for time and eternity.

Derek finishes this week by stressing the importance of responding to God when He speaks to you. Repeatedly ignoring or sidestepping His promptings can cause you to be rejected. This is not God’s will for you.

Derek continues this week on the necessity of making decisions. Today he looks at the importance of forgiving others so that we will be forgiven by God. If we do not forgive why should God to forgive us and answer our prayers? Remember that forgiveness is not based on feelings; it is based on obedience to God’s Word.

Today Derek looks at character trait of humility, which is the decision to humble yourself. God tells us to humble ourselves and then He will exalt us. Whatever our circumstances are, we have the ability to choose whether we will take the road to humility, as Jesus did, or lower ourselves by being prideful in whatever form it may take.

Derek reads from the words of Moses to the people of Israel as they were preparing to cross into the Promised Land. They could choose life and blessing or death and cursing; Moses advised them to choose life. Later, Jesus presents us with choice. Will we choose Jesus (and life), or will we choose Satan, the thief, who comes to steal, kill, and destroy? We each have that choice.